2016 Cheval des Andes | Grand Cru of the New World

September 13, 2019

We’re delighted to offer one of the new world’s most exciting wines this morning, which remarkably continues to offer exceptional value for money: 2016 Cheval des Andes.

An exciting union between Château Cheval Blanc, St Emilion Grand Cru Classé A and Terrazas de los Andes which began 20 years ago, the 2016 is without a doubt the best wine produced at the property. Previous vintages have been very good; the 2016 is a truly great wine and one we are happy to highly recommend for your cellar.

The vision of Cheval des Andes is to bring Château Cheval Blanc’s winemaking philosophy – which focusses on cellaring potential and elegance – to Argentina. Cheval des Andes makes wines that age gracefully and “travel through the decades,” according to Pierre Lurton, President of Château Cheval Blanc and Cheval des Andes.

‘The result is a wonderfully harmonious wine that may be the best release yet.’
97 Points, Tim Atkin MW

Cheval des Andes has 50 hectares (123 acres) of vineyards. The altitude, topography and soil composition of the vineyards are different. Las Compuertas lies on gentle slopes at an altitude of 1,070 metres where old vine Malbec planted on its own roots in 1929 flourishes and produces complex, expressive and soft wines. The site is also well-suited for Cabernet Sauvignon because of greater soil depth – allowing optimum maturity of this varietal to be reached. La Consulta is located at an altitude of 1,100 metres, cooler and composed mainly of Malbec planted in 1945. The thermal amplitude is wider here than in the North. These vineyards produce grapes with good quality tannins, more freshness and floral notes.

A genuine ‘Grand Cru’ of the New World and priced below all other back vintages prior to 2008; please let us know soonest if you’d like a case or two for your cellar.

2016 Cheval des Andes, Mendoza, Argentina
£324 per 6 bottle case under bond
Large formats available on request
An immediately striking purity and finesse on the nose of blackcurrant, redcurrant, crushed rock and strawberries, the 2016 Cheval des Andes is beautifully charming and fresh. After a few minutes coaxing the flavours from the glass, there’s a peppery depth which is more easily identified in the mouth, alongside chocolate, plum and some very satisfying & spicy tannins. Great balance and tension, this is a properly exciting release from what can now be called one of Argentina’s best properties. Drink now, but reward will come to those can resist for two to three years.
Ben Grosvenor, Davy’s Wine Merchants

Super refined and beautiful with flowers, spices, dried fruit and hints of stones. Medium to full body with very fine tannins and a gorgeous finish. Shows great finesse and depth. Savory character, as always, but in check. Drink in 2022.
99 Points, James Suckling

The new vintage to be released in September 2019 is the 2016 Cheval des Andes, which was cropped from a completely unusual year—cooler than the average and with an exceptional amount of rain (around 600 liters), yet the wine has achieved exceptional freshness. It’s 13.9% alcohol, and there’s more red fruit on the nose, which is subtle and elegant, a little closed at first, shy and subtle. They have done great adjustments in the élevage, with the wine matured in 30% to 40% 400-liter barrels and only some 40% new wood. It’s 58% Malbec (approximately 50/50 from Luján and Valle de Uco, where they have 15 hectares in Altamira), 37% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot. This has less structure than the 2015, but there’s more tension; this is a wine that should develop beautifully in bottle. This is a vintage of precision and with great aging potential. I think this wine is the most elegant produced so far. Bravo! 64,000 bottles produced.
97+ Points, Luis Gutiérrez, The Wine Advocate

If you would like to secure a case contact Ben Grosvenor beng@davy.co.uk

Offered subject to remaining unsold, E&OE. Expected towards the end of 2019.